Nintendo Granted a Patent That Could Potentially Make an iOS Mario Game a Possibility

In a world where companies are only as strong as the patents that they own, it comes as no surprise to see a company like Nintendo go great lengths to see things through.This week the Japanese console maker was finally granted a patent (no. 8,157,654) that they filed for way back in 2003, a time when the DS was but a twinkle Miyamoto’s eyes.

The filing gives the house that Mario built ownership of the ability of “emulating a handheld video game platform” on non-native devices such as “a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone.”

Considering that we’re in this current mobile boom and taking into account Nintendo’s “the hell with other platforms” policy, the last one on that list is by far the most interesting. Did Nintendo foresee the mobile future that we’re currently living in? Why haven’t they capitalized on it already?

Either way — if you plan on creating an iOS handheld system emulator (even if you make it through certification) — you better lawyer up.

Joel Taveras is one of the founding members of DualShockers. He hails from New York City where he lives with his wife and two sons. During his tenure with the site, he's held every position from news writer to community manager to editor in chief. Currently he manages the behind the scenes and day-to-day operations at the publication.